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A to Z Theme 2016

For my 2016 A to Z theme I used a meme that I ran across on the blog of Bridget Straub who first saw it on the blog of Paula Acton. This meme is a natural for me to use on my memoir blog. It's an A to Z concept and it's about me. No research and nothing complicated. I'm given twenty six questions or topics to discuss that are about me.

In April I kept my posts short and uncomplicated. In the midst of it all you might learn a few things about me that you didn't previously know.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Age #atozchallenge

A-Age : When I was a kid or even a young man, the age 65 seemed like a faraway realm inhabited by grumpy coots, smug wealthy retirees, or grandpas. The age of 65 seemed like a place so distant that I never much thought of being that old. And yet here I am. I'm 65 this year. Lately I've been thinking more about the implications of being 65. I'm eligible for Medicare though I didn't sign up yet since I'm on my wife's healthcare plan. I don't think of myself as grumpy or smug, and I'm certainly not wealthy. But I am a grandpa with 5 grandkids now. My wife will likely retire in two or three years and we'll have to come to a decision about what we'll do after that time. My mother was 85 when she died so I still have twenty years if I get that far. My dad passed at only 67--this has become a sort of milestone that I feel I must cross over to have hopes of living as long as my maternal grandfather who passed at age 75. We don't know when our time will come so I guess I can speculate about things like that and hope for the best. There's that saying about being only as old as you feel, but a lot of that depends on whether we're talking mind or body. Most of the time I feel pretty good on both accounts and don't think much about my age. Then there is that constant reminder that hangs over me--I'm 65 and not much I can do about it except enjoy life as best I can and expect that I'm going to live forever. No point in giving up yet is how I see it. Do you worry about getting older? Are there things you wish you had done in your life that you didn't do? What do you plan on doing to make the best of your elderly years if you make it that far?

30 comments:

You might want to check. I think you're required to sign up for Medicare. Some things aren't as important as we age. I'm happy to have more time to write (I have unfinished projects). I don't worry about traveling the world. Thought I would, retired. I like my home, although a trip is fine too. I regret letting my children move far away. Six grand kids but see only once or twice a year.

Sharon, they said I could opt out of the supplemental plans since I'm covered by my wife's insurance. I'm registered, but not officially covered my Medicare yet. When she retires then that will change. It's rough not seeing grandkids very often. That's my situation.

Hi Lee - live everyday and enjoy life ... and you've created something special in the A-Z ... and our blogs are here for that future time too ... I've had to withdraw .. but such is life sometimes and needs must - take care .. cheers Hilary

I'm 47 but I feel old. I feel like I'm semi-retired; having abandoned career at age 40 and living off a meager income in a role which allows me to do what I want with my time. But I need to lose a lot of weight or else health problems and their associated costs will derail this arrangement. One thing I know is that the past and future do not exist, that the present is real and presently we are both alive and that is an awful lot to be thankful for.

Oh my ... such a thought-provoking post!I am 56. My dad died at 78 and Mom five years later. The way I see it, I have less than thirty years. I want to make the most of each of those years... I have to stop putting off tomorrow what I can (and want) to do today.

CW, I guess it's kind of natural to put our lives in perspective to our parents' lives. I'm the oldest in my family so the others will have a ways to go. Now it's like a race that none of us wants to win.

For me, the threshold was 35, because that's when Dad died. It was the same for my brothers. Mom and her second husband both died at 68 (he was eight years older than she), so that's the next hurdle. I'd like to think I'll live as long as my grandfather, who was 96 when he died, but I think it'll be closer to my mother.

I could write a book about all the things I wish I had done. #1 is take better care of myself.

I try not to think too much about age anymore -- I'm almost 74, my dad passed away at 61 and my mom is still alive and on top of her mental game at almost 97. I'm just making it my goal to be as healthy as I can and hope for the best.

I used to. Back in my younger days I gave some thought about doing myself in at 30 (long warped logic behind it that I don't want to go into). Now, some 30+ years later, I'm looking forward to bothering other people until I shrivel up and fade away.

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A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!